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MDs May Suffer When Hospitals Buy Medical Practices

the MPR take:

Hospitals are purchasing medical practices at increasing rates, but does this trend hurt physicians? The American Hospital Association estimates that doctors employed by hospitals jumped by 34% from 2000–2010; factors include the desire for patient referrals to hospitals, charges such as “facility fees,” and favorable payment rates with health insurers. For doctors, becoming employed by a hospital could mean loss of autonomy as they find themselves reporting to non-physicians in high positions of power at these facilities. For long-term success, physicians should be encouraged to provide care based on the patient needs, not the hospital’s financials.

MDs May Suffer When Hospitals Buy Medical Practices

Many physicians feel they are losing control of their profession. Hospitals are buying up medical practices at a feverish pace. According to data from the American Hospital Association, the number of physicians employed by hospitals grew by 34 percent between 2000 and 2010, and the pace shows no signs of slackening.